NEW DELHI, 11 September 2020: Arya Samaj top leader Swami Agnivesh passed away this Friday after a cardiac arrest at the Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences at New Delhi.  His condition deteriorated and he could not survive despite a lot of efforts by hospital authorities. He was suffering from liver cirrhosis.

Hindus of Pakistan are aggrieved over the loss such a great leader. Swami Agnivesh, a former MLA from Haryana, founded a political party, Arya Sabha, that was based on the principles of the Arya Samaj, in 1970. He was also an advocate for the dialogue between religions.

Agnivesh was also involved in various areas of social activism including campaigns against female foeticide and emancipation of women. He was a prominent associate of Anna Hazare during “India against Corruption” campaign run in 2011 to implement the Jan Lokpal Bill. He was supported of giving rights to the Kashmiris.

RABAT, 11 September 2020, TON: Libyan opposition political leaders held joint talks yesterday, on 10 September, in Morocco and Egypt which witnessed agreement of some important issues. However, difference still existed when the Libyan leaders left the stage. It has been confirmed that still there is a long way to go as the major issues of disbanding militias and expulsion of foreign proxy forces to leave the country has yet to be reached.

Meanwhile, media reports claimed that both sides agreed on important issues including elections and harmony between rival governments. Arab media reported breakthroughs on several key points during talks. However, there was no word from the leaders that they have agreed on anything. Further negotiations are scheduled in Geneva next week.

Turkey is backing  the U.N.-recognized Government of Libyan National Accord (LNA) based in Tripoli and has provided military support to ensure that proxy foreign forces and military rivals do not disturb the peace efforts.

WASHINGTON, 11 September 2020, TON: US President Donald Trump has announced in a statement that signing of bilateral agreement between Israel and the United Arab Emirates will take place at the White House next week.

President Trump said that after the recent peace agreement between Israel and the United Arab Emirates, he had a dialogue with Saudi Arabia regarding the Middle East peace talks. He did not claim any breakthrough, however, said, "I spoke to the king of Saudi Arabia, so we're talking. We just started the dialogue and you'll have them come in…" He further hinted that one other country could be joining the bilateral agreement between Israel and the UAE by the time ceremony takes place at the White House.

WASHINGTON, 11 September 2020, TON: Secretary of State Michael Pompeo left for Doha  to participate in the intra-Afghan peace talks. He landed at Doha airport on Friday. President Donald Trump had already announced that Secretary of State Michael Pompeo will head to Doha to participate in the intra-Afghan peace talks.

President Trump said at a press conference at the White House, "I can announce, with great pride, that Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will be departing this evening on a historic trip to Doha, Qatar, for the beginning of intra-Afghan peace negotiations," He also announced reduction of American troops in Afghanistan to 4,000 and in Iraq 2,000 only.

The much awaited intra-Afghan peace talks will be held in two round tomorrow.

BEIJING, 10 September 2020, TON: China has appointed its minister of provincial government Nong Rong as a new ambassador to Pakistan. He will replace the outgoing Chinese ambassador to Pakistan, Yao Jing, who has been transferred two months before the completion of his tenure.  Yao Jing has eleven years experience in Pakistan as he served thrice in various capacities in Pakistan.

Analysts have suggested that the change of diplomat was related to CPEC affair and about Pakistan repayments of loans. And it has nothing to with India-Chinese tension or affairs at Line of Actual Control (LAC).

Ambassador Yao Jing was friend of Pakistan and has contributed a lot for the host country and will always be remembered for his contribution towards peace and development in Pakistan.

NEW DELHI, 10 September 2020, TON: India has signed a mutual logistics support arrangement (MLSA) with Japan to keep an eye on China’s expansionist behavior in the Indo-Pacific and beyond. The defense secretary of India Ajay Kumar and Japanese ambassador Suzuki Satoshi signed the agreement. 

The officials said, “This agreement will provide the closer framework of interoperability, cooperation, and use of each other’s military force through the armed forces of both the countries.”

Moreover, the defense ministry spokesperson said “The agreement established the enabling framework for closer cooperation between the armed forces of India and Japan in the reciprocal provision of supplies and services while engaged in bilateral training activities.

Before the agreement with Japan, India has signed similar agreements with various countries that include France, the US, Singapore, Australia, and South Korea. 

In 2018, India has signed an agreement with France that allows the Indian Navy’s reach in south-western IOR due to the French bases in the Reunion Island near Djibouti and Madagascar on the horn of Africa.

India signed the agreement with the US back in 2016; it was an agreement of the Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA). This agreement allows India to refuel and access American bases in Guam, Diego Garcia, Djibouti, and Subic Bay.

The agreement with Australia allows India to reach the warships in southern IOP as well as the Western Pacific region. Similarly, India has signed agreements with other countries to get access to various bases in time of need.

On the other hand, it is claimed that China has an access to Pakistani port of Gwadar to harbor its warships and submarines. Moreover, China has also military access to strategic port of Hambantota as well as other bases in various other countries.

OTTOWA, 10 September 2020, TON, Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau announced the first Black- Entrepreneurship Program of Canada on 10th September. The contribution of Black business owners and entrepreneurs are recognized respectively in the Canadian economy through the new program. The Canadian PM announced, “The pandemic has shone a light on the inequalities that disproportionately hurt Black Canadians, and has underscored the need to restart our economy in a way that allows all Canadians an equal chance to succeed. That is why today – thanks in part to the leadership, advocacy, and expertise of Black business owners and Black-led organizations – we are announcing Canada’s first-ever Black Entrepreneurship Program.”

 And this is an extended part of the ahead launched Canada's Anti-Racism Strategy in 2019.

The PM Trudeau announced nearly up to $95 million to launch the Black- Entrepreneurship Program. The Black  Entrepreneurship Loan Fund will be accessible via the Black-led business organizations funded through the National Ecosystem Fund. Canada's Regional Development Agencies will provide the National Ecosystem Fund.

This is a crisis mitigating strategy for the Black-led Canadian organizations, which facilitates $33.3 million for the Black Entrepreneurship Fund and $6.5 million for the Black Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub with many other strategies. The program aims to highlight the importance of Black Lives around the world.

KABUL, 10 September 2020, TON: A road side mine exploded in the Afghan capital city of Kabul on Wednesday, injuring Afghanistan's First Vice President Amrullah Saleh. Witnesses claimed that it was an apparent assassination attempt which targeted convey of Amrullah Saleh, who suffered minor injuries while at least 10 people killed.

Afghan authorities said, Vice President Amrullah Saleh survived the attack but  dozens of civilian casualties, mostly bystanders, were reported  injured or have been killed in the blast.

Pakistan has strongly condemned the attack and expressed sympathy and condolences to the families of the victims. In a statement by his spokesperson, Secretary General Antonio Guterres expressed his deepest sympathy and condolences to the families of the victims and wished a speedy recovery to those injured.

A Taliban spokesman, Zabiullah Mujahid, in a message to media denied the its involvement in the attack on Saleh's convoy. The latest attack comes as Afghanistan is all prepared for direct peace negotiations with Taliban.

KABUL, 9 September 2020, TON: For the first time in two decades since foreign invasion in Afghanistan, Panjshir province which was secured by the foreign troops has come under attack. Local witnesses of the area claims that unidentified miscreants group also kidnapped some locals on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, residents of Panjshir claim that the unnamed authorities directed to take up arms to resist such attack in the future. Although media quoting Afghan authorities says that the attack might be carried out by the Taliban but accent of the attackers described by the locals suggests they were Persian speaking or Hazara or Tajik ethnic groups.  

Provincial officials were quoted by Afghan media that the militants took over several Afghan security force outposts in the Afshar district. VOA reported that District official Mohammad Sohrab saying that about 60 militants came from Nuristan province and took number of villagers hostage. Taliban residing in neighbouring Nuristan, Baghlan, Badakhshan, and Kapisa provinces ruled out any maneuver or attacks by the Taliban.

A local, who identified himself to Mohammad Daud said attack came at a time when 19th anniversary of Ahmed Shah Masood's death was being observed. He pointed out that Ahmed Shah Masood  and Gulbadin Hikmatyar were the main commanders who expelled foreign forces from Afghanistan and  freed Afghanistan. However, as a foreign conspiracy he was killed in 2001. He claimed that it was also an attempt to divide Afghan people into Taliban and non-Taliban.

Meanwhile Mohammad Naim, the Taliban spokesman, said the process of releasing Taliban prisoners is in progress and once the prisoner released    negotiation will be started.

PANGONG TSO, 8 September 2020, TON: As engagement at military, diplomatic and political levels is in progress well and all roads to peace are being explored, the Indian military authorities have accordingly rejected Chinese claim that they resorted to any aggressive means including firing warning shots. Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) on Monday night alleged that Indian troops “outrageously fired” warning shots near the Pangong TSO lake in eastern Ladakh and immediately returned back their guns to actual positions. Tension escalated after conflicting reports that the soldiers of the two nations exchanged fire on the south bank of Pangong Tso (lake) on Monday night. However, Indian military leadership said that India is committed to disengagement & de-escalating situation on the LAC.

Meanwhile, a spokesman of China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) was quoted to have claimed that its soldiers had been forced to by Indian side to take countermeasures in response to the “warning shots” fired by the Indian Army personnel at them on the south bank of the Pangong Tso. There were no causalities on either Indian Army or the Chinese PLA side.

Media reports quoting Colonel Zhang Suili, a spokesperson of the said, “Indian Army had “again illegally crossed the Line of Actual Control on the south bank of Pangong TSO on Monday and had outrageously fired warning shots  on the PLA border patrol position”. However, New Delhi denies the same and claims that India and China are on road towards peace. 

It we recall, on June 15, as many as 20 Indian soldiers were killed in a violent clash in the Galwan Valley. Ever since, due to political statements there is environment of suspicions between the two neighbouring nations.